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The Eternal Allure of the Disney Princess :
Ever since "Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs" first graced the screen in 1937, little girls everywhere have been enchanted by Disney Princesses. But don't be fooled into thinking that these ladies, with their sparkly dresses and long cascading hair, are just another bunch of pretty faces. They make strong choices, help those less fortunate, and ultimately champion the underdog.
The success of "Snow White" shows that princess appeal is nothing new. It was the highest-grossing film ever until the release of "Gone with the Wind." The worldwide gross for "Snow White" was $8.5 million - in an era when a child's ticket cost 10 cents.
The princess tradition continued after "Snow White," with Disney film versions of the enduring fairy-tales "Cinderella" and "Sleeping Beauty." Although "Sleeping Beauty" was Walt Disney's most extravagant animated feature ever at the time of its release, the princess genre quieted after its release. It wasn't until the late '80s and early '90s that the Princesses returned -- in what has been called an animation renaissance at the Walt Disney Studio. Belle, Ariel, and Pocahontas led the way in new classics like "Beauty and the Beast," "The Little Mermaid," and "Pocahontas." This revival introduced a new generation of princesses to a new generation of princess followers.
The Insider decided to talk to young girls to find out what it is that makes Disney Princesses as appealing in 2007 as they were in 1937. Here's what they had to say.
Ellie, 4, loves Aurora from "Sleeping Beauty" because she likes "her pink sparkly dress." Her sister Hazel chose Mulan as her favorite because "she is sporty and I like her black hair."
Like Ellie, many girls are drawn in by the sparkly dresses and princess couture. Let's face it, these ladies have outfits to envy! Whether it's Ariel with her crimson hair and pearls fresh from the ocean adorning her neck, or Cinderella in her shimmering blue ball gown and glass slippers, there is a look for every aspiring fashionista.
There is more to these princesses though, than stylish wardrobes. They teach kids to be kind to others, to be true to themselves, and to never stop dreaming. They aren't just living the life any little girl would dream of - they're also great role models.
Ruby, 6, said her reason for loving Disney Princesses is that "every princess is very helpful and nice. Sleeping Beauty helped the fairies and the fairies helped her because she was nice to them."
While all Princesses might be nice, they aren't all alike. Mulan, Pocahontas, and Jasmine are all princesses who show little girls that no matter what culture you come from or what you look like, you can embrace what makes you special and still be a princess. They send the message that "It's great to be unique," both in how you look and what you choose to achieve.
According to Cameron, that is exactly why Ariel from "The Little Mermaid," is her favorite. At 9 years old, Cameron identifies with this princess of the sea because "she believes in herself. If she dreams something, she makes it happen." She says that she likes Ariel because "she's sort of different from all the other princesses because she's a mermaid - and she has a great voice."
It's no wonder these princesses have such a following. In the end, the message the girls are getting is that you don't have to dress in a tiara to be a princess. You can be you and be a princess just the way you are.
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| These young Princess wannabes make us wonder -- just what IS it about Princesses? |
Ever since "Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs" first graced the screen in 1937, little girls everywhere have been enchanted by Disney Princesses. But don't be fooled into thinking that these ladies, with their sparkly dresses and long cascading hair, are just another bunch of pretty faces. They make strong choices, help those less fortunate, and ultimately champion the underdog.
The success of "Snow White" shows that princess appeal is nothing new. It was the highest-grossing film ever until the release of "Gone with the Wind." The worldwide gross for "Snow White" was $8.5 million - in an era when a child's ticket cost 10 cents.
The princess tradition continued after "Snow White," with Disney film versions of the enduring fairy-tales "Cinderella" and "Sleeping Beauty." Although "Sleeping Beauty" was Walt Disney's most extravagant animated feature ever at the time of its release, the princess genre quieted after its release. It wasn't until the late '80s and early '90s that the Princesses returned -- in what has been called an animation renaissance at the Walt Disney Studio. Belle, Ariel, and Pocahontas led the way in new classics like "Beauty and the Beast," "The Little Mermaid," and "Pocahontas." This revival introduced a new generation of princesses to a new generation of princess followers.
The Insider decided to talk to young girls to find out what it is that makes Disney Princesses as appealing in 2007 as they were in 1937. Here's what they had to say.
Ellie, 4, loves Aurora from "Sleeping Beauty" because she likes "her pink sparkly dress." Her sister Hazel chose Mulan as her favorite because "she is sporty and I like her black hair."
Like Ellie, many girls are drawn in by the sparkly dresses and princess couture. Let's face it, these ladies have outfits to envy! Whether it's Ariel with her crimson hair and pearls fresh from the ocean adorning her neck, or Cinderella in her shimmering blue ball gown and glass slippers, there is a look for every aspiring fashionista.
There is more to these princesses though, than stylish wardrobes. They teach kids to be kind to others, to be true to themselves, and to never stop dreaming. They aren't just living the life any little girl would dream of - they're also great role models.
Ruby, 6, said her reason for loving Disney Princesses is that "every princess is very helpful and nice. Sleeping Beauty helped the fairies and the fairies helped her because she was nice to them."
While all Princesses might be nice, they aren't all alike. Mulan, Pocahontas, and Jasmine are all princesses who show little girls that no matter what culture you come from or what you look like, you can embrace what makes you special and still be a princess. They send the message that "It's great to be unique," both in how you look and what you choose to achieve.
According to Cameron, that is exactly why Ariel from "The Little Mermaid," is her favorite. At 9 years old, Cameron identifies with this princess of the sea because "she believes in herself. If she dreams something, she makes it happen." She says that she likes Ariel because "she's sort of different from all the other princesses because she's a mermaid - and she has a great voice."
It's no wonder these princesses have such a following. In the end, the message the girls are getting is that you don't have to dress in a tiara to be a princess. You can be you and be a princess just the way you are.
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